10/10/25 Public Health Education Topic: Enterovirus
- Health Department
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
Per CDC:
Key points
Non-polio enterovirus infections are common, usually affecting infants, children, and teenagers.
Most people experience a mild illness with symptoms like the common cold, but some people can have serious complications.
To prevent spreading the virus, wash your hands often, clean and disinfect surfaces, and avoid close contact with others.
EV-D68 typically causes respiratory illness, which can be mild (like a common cold) or more serious.
Children with asthma may have a higher risk for severe respiratory illness caused by EV-D68 infection.
There are no vaccines to prevent EV-D68 infections.
What it is
Non-polio enteroviruses cause about 10 to 15 million infections and tens of thousands of hospitalizations each year in the United States. Infections with non-polio enteroviruses are common during summer and fall.
Most people who get infected do not get sick or they only have mild illness, like the common cold. Some people can have serious complications, especially infants and people with weakened immune systems.
Types
A mix of enteroviruses circulates every year, and different types can be common in different years. Three better-known non-polio enteroviruses are enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), and coxsackie virus A6 (CV-A6). EV-D68 usually causes respiratory illness. EV-A71 and CV-A6 are known to cause hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD).
Signs and symptoms
Infants, children, and teenagers are more likely than adults to get infected and become sick. Adults can also become infected but are less likely to have symptoms, or symptoms may be milder.
Symptoms of mild illness may include:
Fever
Runny nose, sneezing, cough
Skin rash
Mouth blisters
Body and muscle aches
How it spreads
You can spread the virus for weeks!
Once infected, you can spread the virus (pass from your body into the environment or other people) for several weeks, even if you don't have symptoms.
Mothers who are breastfeeding should talk with their doctor if they are sick or think they may have an infection.
If someone is sick, the virus can be found in their:
Eye, nose, and mouth secretions, such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum
Fluid from blisters
Poop
You can get non-polio enterovirus from:
Close contact with an infected person, such as touching or shaking hands.
Touching objects or surfaces with the virus, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Changing diapers of an infected person and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Drinking water that has the virus in it.
Prevention
Many people who get infected with non-polio enteroviruses do not have symptoms but can still spread the virus to other people. This makes it difficult to prevent them from spreading.
To help prevent catching or spreading non-polio enterovirus infections:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers, using the toilet, and coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and shared items.
Avoid close contact with an infected person, such touching or shaking hands.
There is no vaccine to protect you from non-polio enterovirus infection.
To learn more visit:
